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USDA's Rural Business Cooperative Service (RBCS) received funding and authority through Division B, Title I of the CARES Act to provide for additional funds for use under the Business & Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program.  In accordance with the CARES Act, the purposes of the additional B&I funding is to prevent, prepare for and respond to the effects of the pandemic. It is the Agency’s intent that guaranteed loan funds will be primarily for working capital loan purposes to support business operations and facilities in rural areas. The Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program’s funding is depleted and this funding is the only source to fill the gap for our Rural Businesses that are severely impacted due to the economic impacts of COVID19. This critical funding will allow Rural Businesses to get bridge funding for operating expenses to allow them to stay open at this time. This action will supplement the current Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program in 7 CFR 4279, Guaranteed Loan Making and 7 CFR 4287, Servicing, with the new B&I CARES Act Guaranteed Loan Program.